We can now take up the question next in order,
which was worded: "Why do we consider certain aspects of knowledge esoteric and
other aspects as exoteric?"

The answer to this practically involves the realization that some knowledge deals
with the subjective side of life, and the other type of knowledge with the objective side;
that one type of knowledge is concerned with energy and force (hence the danger of undue
hasty revelation) and another with that which is energized. Therefore it will be apparent
that until the faculty of ascertaining subjective information is achieved, whole ranges of
facts will remain outside the scope of the consciousness of the majority.

As we have been told, the goal of evolution is the attainment of consciousness on all
planes; owing to the small evolutionary attainment of the race only the physical plane is
as yet in any way brought under conscious control. The knowledge which deals with
that plane, [286] the information which is concerned with densest objectivity, the
sumtotal of facts connected with the five lower subplanes of the physical plane are (from
the occult standpoint) considered exoteric. During the next two races the other two
subplanes will be mastered, and the entire mass of knowledge concerned with physical and
etheric matter, with energy, form and experience on the physical plane, will be easily
available to man, and concern only his five physical senses.

Information
and knowledge of the life evolving through the forms will for a considerably longer time
be considered esoteric, as also will the apprehension and comprehension of the matter
aspect, and the laws governing energy on the astral and the mental planes. This is stated
in connection with average man, the rank and file of humanity. Objective or exoteric
information is largely that obtained or ascertained by men in the Hall of Learning by
means of the five senses, and by experiment. Experiment in due course of time and after
many cycles of incarnation is transmuted into experience, and this produces eventually
that which we call instinct, or the habitual reaction of some type of consciousness to a
given set of circumstances, or of environment. These two factors of the senses and of
experimental contact can be seen working out in the animal and human kingdoms; the
difference between the two exists in the ability of the man consciously to remember,
apprehend, anticipate, and utilize the fruits of past experience, and thus influence the
present and prepare for the future. He employs the physical brain for this purpose. An
animal likewise has an instinctual memory, apprehension, and an embryo anticipation, but
(lacking mind) he is unable to adjust them to circumstances in the sense of
prearrangement, and lacks the capacity consciously to utilize, and thus reap, the benefit
of past events, and to learn from experience in the manner which a man does. The [287]
animal uses the solar plexus in the same way that a man uses the brain; it is the organ of
instinct.

All that
can be acquired by instinct and by the use of the concrete mind functioning through the
physical brain can be considered as dealing with that which we call exoteric. It is thus
evident how the range of fact will differ according to:

The age of the soul.

Experience developed and used.

Condition of the brain and the physical body.

Circumstances and environment.

As time progresses and man reaches a fair state of evolution, mind is more rapidly
developed, and a new factor comes gradually into play. Little by little the intuition, or
the transcendental mind, begins to function, and eventually supersedes the lower or
concrete mind. It then utilizes the physical brain as a receiving plate, but at the same
time develops certain centers in the head, and thus transfers the zone of its activity
from the physical brain to the higher head centers, existing in etheric matter. For the
mass of humanity, this will be effected during the opening up of the etheric subplanes
during the next two races. This is paralleled in the animal kingdom by the gradual
transference of the zone of activity from the solar plexus to the rudimentary brain, and
its gradual development by the aid of manas.

As we consider these points, it will become apparent that the esoteric aspects of
knowledge are really those zones of consciousness which are not yet conquered, and brought
within the radius of control of the indwelling Entity.

The point to be emphasized is that when this is realized the true significance of the
esoteric and the occult will be appreciated, and the endeavor of all KNOWERS will be
to draw within the zone of their knowledge other [288] units who are ready for a
similar expansion of consciousness. In this thought lies the key to the work of the
Brotherhood. They attract by Their force into certain fields of realization and endeavor
and by that attraction and the response of those human atoms who are ready, the group soul
on the upward arc, or a particular center of a Heavenly Man, is coordinated.

In the same way the animal is brought at a certain stage into the zone of influence of
the lesser sons of mind - human beings who are the elder brothers of the animals, as the
Masters of the Wisdom are the Elder Brothers where humanity is concerned. So the
interlocking proceeds and the division of responsibility.

16

In the Secret Doctrine we are told that there are seven
branches of knowledge mentioned in the Puranas. - S. D., I, 192.

Correspondences can here be worked out in connection with:

The seven Rays, the Lords of Sacrifice, Love and Knowledge.

The seven states of consciousness.

The seven states of matter or planes.

The seven types of forces.

The seven Initiations and many other septenates.

The
Gnosis, the hidden Knowledge, is the seventh Principle, the six schools of Indian
philosophy are the six principles - S. D., I, 299.

These six schools are:

The school of Logic - Proof of right perception.

The atomic school - System of particulars. Elements. Alchemy and chemistry.

The Sankhya school - System of numbers. The materialistic school. The theory of the
seven states of matter or prakriti.

The school
of Yoga - Union. The rule of daily life. Mysticism.

The school
of Ceremonial Ritual. - Religion. Worship of the devas or Gods.

The Vedanta
school - Has to do with non-duality. Deal with the relation of Atma in man to the Logos.

The Gnosis
or hidden knowledge is the same as Atma vidya, or Theosophy, and includes the other six.